Loose-leaf binder



S. R. WYCHERLEY. LOOSE LEAF BINDER.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 10, 1921.

Patented Nov. 22, 1921.

2 SHEETSSHEET 1- i g 1/ 57 y '38 35 WVf/Vfd? s. R. WYCHERLE'Y.

LOOSE LEAF-BINDER. APPLICATION FILED MAR 10. 1921.

Patented Nov. 22, 1921.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2- M iI J 7 shown as removed from the bar.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

SYDNEY R. WYCHERLEY, OF'BROMLEY, ENGLAND, ASSIGNOR T0 SPIGER BROTHERS, LIMITED, 01 LONDON, ENGLAND;

LOOSE-LEAF BINDER.

Application filed Ilfliarch 10, 1921.

filed Jan. 20, 1920,) of which the following is a specification.

This invention. relates to flexible band loose leaf binders of the type wherein leaves are held by flat thongs or straps and are clamped by means of two clamping bars which are drawn together by windingup the thongs or straps.

In files of this type the thongs areat one end connected to one clamping bar and are; at the other end wound upon a shaft.

mounted within the other clamping bar, such shaft being adapted to be operatedby means of akey or the like. The improved binder is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is an inside elevation of the binder in its open condition, the detachable cover of the clamping bar containing the winding mechanism being Fig. 2 is a top view of the clamping bar and the winding mechanism. Fig. 3 illustrates in section a modification and illustrates the manner in which the key is inserted into the clamping bar, Fig. 4 isa similar view showing the key in-the position which it assumes after the unlocking of the windingv shaft. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of. the key. Fig. 6 is a top view of the thong, Figs. T 8 and 9 are sections showing three constructions of the composite thong. Figs. 10 & 11 illustrate the preferred manner of attaching the thong to the winding shaft. Fig. 12 is a cross sectional view through the assembled clamping bar. In Fig. 1 the thongs 1, 1 are assumed to be attached in some suitable manner to the clamping bar 2 which in turn is secured to one half 3 of the telescopic back. The other clamping bar 4 is secured to the other half 5 of the telescopic back, and carries the winding shaft 6 upon which are wound the other ends of the thongs 1, 1. The shaft is mounted in such a manner that it cannot move longitudinally, but can rotate freely in its bearings. as for example those shown at 6 One end of the shaft is provided with means by which it can be Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 22, 1921.

Serial No. 451,244.

engagedby one endof the key,

I which may for;th1s purpose be flattened out as shown at 9,, Fig. 2 and fit a diametral slot 10 pro-v vided in the part 11 of the key (see Fig. 5). Att-he other endthe winding shaft is provided with a.clutch member 14: which cooperates with a longitudinally movable clutch member 15, adapted to lock the shaft against rotation in one direction only. The latter is held in engagement with the member 14. by a spring 16 which encircles the shaft 6 and isinterposed between a projection 17 of the shaft 6 and the clutch member 15. The

clutch member 15 is mounted in a slide 18v which may be actuated to openthe clutch inv the following manner. The slide 18 is provided. with.a projection l9 the inner end of which, projects into the path forming the extension ofv a hole 20 provided in the hollow pin 21 inserted into the end of the clamping bar and forming a pivot on which the binder cover 22 is hinged. The key is provided upon its part 23, which is cylindrical and fits, but not very tightly, the hole 20, with a reduced portion 24 and a portion 25which on one side only projects laterally from the portion 24. The key may also be provided upon its cylindrical portion 223 with a notch 26 of the shape shown. In order to open the clutch and lock the clutch member 15 in the open position to allow the thongs to be expanded, the key is first brought into the position indicated by dotted lines (Fig. 3) so that the part 25 passes behind the projection 19. The key is then turned by 180 so as to bring the part 25 with its lateral projection into engagement with projection 19, and is then withdrawn axially into the position shown in Fig. 1, whereby the clutch is opened. As a rule the key is automatically locked in this position on being released, by the one sided pressure exerted by projection 19 upon part 25, but if desired a notch 26 may be provided in the key into which the edge of the pin 21 may be caused to engage.

The space within the clamping bar 4 available for winding up the thong being comparatively small, it is impossible to use drums of a large size, consequently the end of the thong must be fastened very close to the axis of the shaft and the thong is rather sharply bent, particularly in the windings lying close to the shaft. In order to enable the thong to Withstand sharp bending, the thong is made of an inner strip of brass and an outer cover offabric or leather or similar material. In Fig. 7

V gether at a point 31 lying between the edges of the strip 27. In the modification shown in Fig. 9, the outer cover 32 is seamless. By this combination of a very pliable but strong'inner strip with an outer cover of fabric or leather, the size or thickness of the thongs may be reduced to a minimum. The thong is practically non-expansible.

The thong may be attached to the shaft by providing the shaft at the portion 33 (see Fig. 3) with pins 34. The preferred way of attaching the thongs to the shaft is shown in Figs. 10 and 11. The shaft is provided with two longitudinal grooves 39, 39. The thong is Wrapped around the shaft and is fixed thereto by a strong clip 35 the ends of which press the thong into the grooves 39. V

In order .to allow of easy access to thewinding mechanism in the form shown in Figs. 1 and 2 the U-shaped clamping bar is provided with a detachable cover 12, which may be easily slid on or off and is automatically locked by spring pins 36 mounted in the clamping bar and adapted to engage holes 37 of the cover 12. Preferably two such pins 36 are mounted on each of a plurality of common semicircular fiat springs 38.

I claiml. A loose leaf binder, comprising leaf clamping bars, leaf holding thongs con-' nected to one of the bars, a shaft journaled on the other bar and adapted to have the thongs wound thereon, means at one end of the shaft by which it may be rotated, and means at the other end of the shaft for holding it against rotation in one direction- 2. A loose leaf binder, comprising leaf clamping bars, leaf holding thongs connected to one of the bars, a shaft journaled on the other bar and adapted to have the thongs wound thereon, one end of the shafthav ing means for engagement with a key by which said shaft may be rotated, and a detachable clutch that engages the other end of the shaft to normally hold it against rotation in one direction.

3. A loose leaf binder comprising leaf clamping bars, one of said bars comprising a housing, leaf holding thongs connected to the other bar and entering the housing, a shaft journaled in the housing and on which the thongs wrap, said shaft having a key engaging portion at one end, and a clutch in the housing at the other, end of the shaft for normally securing the shaft against rotation in one direction.

4. A loose leaf binder comprising leaf clampingbars, one of said bars comprising a housing, leaf holding thongs connected to the other bar and entering the housing, a shaft journaled in the housing and on which the thongs wrap, said housing having keyholes in its opposite ends, said shaft hav ing one end adapted to be engaged with a key introduced into the adjacent keyhole, and a clutchin the other end of the housing adapted to lock the shaft against turning in one direction, said clutch including a releasing means adapted to be engaged by a key entered through the adjacent keyhole.

5. A. loose leaf binder comprising leafclamping bars, a roller shaft journaled on one of the bars and having longitudinal grooves, thongs secured to the other bar and adapted to wrap upon the roller shaft, and spring clips embracing the shaft and having portions that press the thongs into the grooves thereof.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two witnesses.

S. R. WYCHERLEY.

Witnesses:

L. CoNsTANonCHALK, F. BELL. 

